Kenko-Tokina exhibits mockup of image-stabilised 70-200mm F4 at CP+

Kenko-Tokina will exhibit a mockup of a 70-200mm F4 telephoto zoom that features both a ring-type ultrasonic autofocus motor and optical image stabilization at the CP+ trade show in Japan. The AT-X Pro SD 70-200 F4 (IF) FX will be the company's first stabilized lens, and will likely be especially interesting to Nikon SLR users who currently have no option that's directly comparable to Canon's popular and highly-regarded 70-200mm F4 designs. Further details are limited, but the lens appears to feature both internal zoom and focus mechanisms, and has a usefully-close minimum focus distance of 1m. (via Megapixel.il)

Comments

Everything looks nice but.... I hope when it comes to production it will have REMOVABLE tripod collar.(And hope for an 4/300mm and 5.6/400mm non-mirror prime (IS?) from some of the third party manufacturers in a near future.)

Not only no release date, but this isn't really a prototype. It's a Mockup which means a non-working model, I'd think. I also don't see a tripod collar which makes me wonder at any advantages over the respected 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 VR except a half a stop to a stop in the 70-200 range and a probable higher price tag. It would have to have killer IQ to fit in there between Nikon's 70-300 and their 80-200 f/2.8 because those two have a killer IQ.

The Canon 70-200mm f4 IS is an optic launched in 2006 and its extremely sharp right from wide open @f4 till around f16.

Considering that a) This is a brand new optic and b) Tokina is known for quality optics unlike Sigma, I would wager this lens will be interesting to a lot of people looking for a high quality short zoom that is sharp throughout its focal range.

When I was a Canon DSLR user I had that 70-200,, f4(non IS).Ultra sharp,quiet,light weight..Don't care for white lenses though I surely miss that lens now that I switched to Nikon.I use the Tokina 70-300.Very good lens,which it were faster and lighter..Look forward to seeing what the new one will be.

@brendon1000 I was with you until the part about Sigma not being known for quality optics. I have their excellent 50 1.4 in EF mount, and it's every bit as good if not better than the Canon 50. Their 85 1.4 is an awesome lens. Their macros, 17-50 2.8 and ultra-wide zooms, and super telephotos, and telephoto zooms like the 120-300 2.8 and 100-300 f4 are all excellent lenses.

Tokina has had a few fairly recent hits like the 12-24 f4, and the 11-16 2.8. But to say they are known for their optics, and Sigma is not is a stretch, at best.

I'm a Nikon user and am looking hard for a 70-200mm option.If disregarding price I can either have the original VR version or the VRII version (I have doubts about the Sigma 70-200mm OS's optical quality).

If this turns out be as good as the Canon 70-200mm f/4... then I have another option on my short list.

The 80-200mm is not a replacement for a 70-200mm f4 IMO. I have a Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 which is approximately the same weight and size as the Nikon and I leave it at home for a few shoots since its so damm big and heavy. A 70-200mm f4 class zoom is around 700 gms and much smaller dimensions while something like the 80-200mm weighs almost 100% more at 1.3 kg.

Personally ill take the extra f stop over the weight issue but a lot of other people would want something lighter like a sharp image stabilized 70-200mm f4 zoom.

Not something ill want or need but the high demand for the Canon 70-200mm f4 tells me that this lens could sell very well if priced correctly and if Nikon/Sony/Pentax don't wake up and realize they need a lens like this ASAP ! :P

the EF 70-200/4L might be well regarded, and justly so, but... the ZEBRA white-black-white color scheme makes it impractical for many, myself included, so yes... I'd be highly interested if IQ would turn out decent, and CA well controlled :) !!

Seriously, this is the one lens that I have been waiting for ever since I got my first Nikon DSLR. A f2.8 70/80-200 Nikon is too huge and heavy to carry around, not to mention far too expensive to justify the cost for all but pros.

my expectations are high, and I'll be happy to spend around $1000 for this lens if it lives up to them

AF speed is what counts on such lenses (among iq). Tamron and Sigma have nice 70-200 lenses as well but both are slower then the Nikon version.That said I'm very curios about the AF speed of the Tokina.

Additionally what is the actual focal length on shorter distances @200mm ?The Nikon 70-200 on 3m is more like a 160mm lens.

If you look at third party lenses Tokina has some of the best valued lenses such as the 11-16mm f/2.8 and 16-28mm f/2.8. The 70-200mm is a brilliant move by Tokina to eat up some of Nikons profits since they don't offer this lens. I would expect the price to be around $700-$800. The lens will probably be tack sharp and very well built inside and out. I have the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 non OS and may pick this up just for the lighter weight and anti shake technology.

Unless the price is really good and the optics superb, I see no reason to get one other than for VR/IS. Nikon currently sells the excellent 80-200 f/2.8 AFD that focuses fast, has a professional build, is f/2.8 maximum and continuous aperture, and sells new for around $1100. I'm not so sure I'd move to f/4 just to get a 3rd party lens with VR/IS unless it was somewhat less money with at least the same IQ.

Nikon's 80-200 f/2.8 is another reason Nikon hasn't needed to be so fast releasing a 70-200 f/4 like Canon.

We've had F4 L zooms over in the Canon camp for a long time. Canon also has a cheaper non-stabilized 70-200mm f2.8. The reason people pick the 70-200 F4 is for the weight. It's MUCH lighter, while still giving the same professional quality, build, and AF of the larger f2.8 zooms. The Canon F4 IS is one of the sharpest zooms on the planet. Basically flawless at any focal length and aperture.

if you can carry an f2.8 lens all day AND be very good at handholding (steady)after three hours.. i'd agree.. But for me I don't carry weight well and my handholdimg is worse for it.. A lightweight 70-200 with OS is a brilliant idea even @f4. can't wait. Needs to be reasonable IQ for the money though.

Weight is no doubt a factor. Any f/2.8 lens will be heavier. Another issue though is portraits. Will f/4 be wide enough for you and OOF backgrounds. It wouldn't be for me, but I own other portrait lenses and who knows what this Tokina will weigh?

Tokina grew out of a group that left Nikon, so it's understandable they have good lenses. What they have lacked is USM and now they appear to be not only addressing that, but delivering IS as well. This will be a great lens no doubt, but I'd mainly expect Nikon users to buy it, unless it is almost as good and a lot cheaper than the canon 70-200 f/4L IS,which is a sensational zoom.

Tokina is the only 3rd party manufacturer that I have real respect for. The only negative about Tokina lenses are their propensity to demonstrate higher than normal levels of CA. However, build and performance are usually on par with the big boys.

@tkbslc - Nonsense. Sigma is a cheaper ALTERNATIVE to the "big boys", their lenses don't beat any top Nikon or Canon glass. Unfortunately, I've owned far too much Sigma (and later sold it all) to know first hand. Inconsistent AF (not a calibration need but a variable misfocus) is the biggest problem followed by marginal wide open sharpness on the 1.4 or 2.8 lenses (although the 50 and 85 seem to be better - at a much higher price than their value lenses).

Now don't misunderstand, Sigma fits a very important niche - good value, good performance. This is their strength and they are a valid choice for many. But to say Sigma beats the "big boys" is utter nonsense. You get what you pay for - cliche as it is - never more true than with Sigma.

I second that. Sigma has been in my kit for two years now and I am selling all. A 300mm f2.8 EX DG and 500mm EX DG. I own the canon equivalent now and it is just no contest. I will never buy another Sigma product period. Af problems. Front and back focus problems. Just a pain in the ass.

Excellent! cant wait to try it. It will certainly be on my shortlist. If its anything like the 16-28 or the infamous 11-16 (Ive rented both) Tokina will hav another winner on its hands and some more cash from me.

I've been looking for the filter size, but no luck so far. Possibly a 77? Also, it will be interesting to learn if it focuses in the "Nikon" direction or not. BTW, I still have a Tokina f4-5.6 70-200 zoom that I bought back in the 70's. It still looks and works like new. I cannot say the same for my (then top-of-the-line) Nikkor f4.5 80-200; it is now unusable because of zoom creep. And the Nikkor cost about 3,000 USD, in today's dollars. So I'm a BIG Tokina fan. I just wish they had a more extensive line, and I'm sad to see them phasing out of primes.

1° Look at the picture: the lens turns in the"Nikon's mode", both: the zoom and focusing rings ;-)2° As I remember, Tokina's lens reserves original rotation direction i.e. they make the other, in mean of roration, lens for C, other for N.

Since morons at Nikon don't wanna give out a nice F4 zoom for us that don't wanna drag around that 2.8 monster it looks like Tokina is getting my money. Assuming that it has at least same quality as their 11-16 zoom of course ;)

Tokina stuff tends to be beefy but if this lens is reasonably light it could be sweet. As someone who has the Canon 70-200/4 IS, the real appeal (and what makes it different from anything Nikon has right now) is the combination of stellar sharpness with surprisingly light weight.

Yes! However, it was never really enough of a reduction in either to not just go with older used lenses. It's an under-served market, but justifiably so. I expect this lens to sell for around a grand. If it was going for $600, they'd have something.

At the time of introduction, the primary reason was for a lighter lens at $550 less than the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM. Also, the other advantage was the 4 stop Image Stablizer. The drawback was the reduction in bokeh at f/4.

Good to see they have IS technology now. I have their (now discontinued) 50-135mm f/2.8 DX lens. It (obviously) is the DX equivalent of the 70-200mm full frame, but much smaller and lighter. AF, but no IS.

A non-stabilized version for the Sony mount would be great ( f4 is reasonably fast and keeps the lens size small/light, w/o stabilizer cost goes down )! Unfortunatelly Tokina seems to have stated they won't support any Sony mount anymore ( A or E )...!

Actually, I'm hoping for some manufacturers to come out with some stabilized Sony lenses. I know Sony Alpha users don't need the stabilization, but the NEX users who have the LA-AE2 adapter only have the stabilized Sigma lenses to choose from, and Sigma has stopped putting the stabilization mechanism in those lenses.

They didn't, however, change the size or weight of the lens design to account for the lack of stabization. I doubt Tokina would change the design, either.

FX should be the label for full format. So the DX designation in the text does not match the picture.

If it only would be shorter...

or a redesign of their F4/100-300 lens they had some time ago FX, with ultrasonic and optical image stabilization this would be a runner. Faster than the Canon 100-400/70-300 and lighter than the Sigma 2.8/120-300.

So is this made for APS only or not? My biggest problem with APS is that there have been no APS telephotos for the mount. Even Pana has the 100-300 4/3 lens that is pretty darned good. I am really tired of hauling around full frame teles for birds and wildlife on DX cameras. Useless weight and expense.

Well, I see nothing to induce me to buy it. Nobody wants to develop decently fast long glass for APS, it appears. Every stop basically doubles the price and so does going from APS to FX, like boats a foot longer, and I just do not understand the problem. Surely there are more APS cameras sold than full frame by now.

@John Ellis, Tokina has a 50-135mm f/2.8 (70-200 equivalent) for APS-C. It is much smaller than full frame teles and very sharp. Too bad it's discontinued, but you can find it 2nd hand. Considering this announcement from Tokina, a stabilized version of the 50-135mm might be in the pipeline as well!